Faith versus fact?
The two can marry, it just depends on what your faith’s in and whose “facts” they are.
If Dan’s faith is in something true and Nicole’s research is done properly, they should end up with their paths leading to a junction.

One’d think having Alex go brain-dead in his sleep, then waking up fine and dandy in a normal fashion would be more alarming for his brother rather than sparking up some irritation over Nicole’s interest in the issue. I mean, that sort of brain inactivity just… isn’t normal or healthy. Just throwin’ that out there.